e-course Archives - Page 3 of 9 - Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Jun 01 2014

Is teaching high school difficult? This e-book makes it easier.

Buy it now

Teaching high school sounds really hard!

I can’t teach all that stuff!

What if I ruin my child’s chances of getting into college?

All classic questions. In fact, the greatest number of questions I receive from parents have to do with homeschooling the high school years.
Parents want to know if teaching high school is harder than teaching the earlier years.

Emphatically, I say: NO.

Though high school “material” may seem harder, teaching high school is no harder than homeschooling any other year. It’s the same commitment, the same work load, the same investment as the earlier years.

What is harder (though really just “different”) is orchestrating the whole thing.

The four years. The classes. The credits. The GPA. Weighted versus unweighted. How many hours again? And, oh the choices! You get it – the whole high school package can seem pretty intidimidating.

Though students may perform this task entirely on their own, for the most part, parents (a/k/a Principals and Guidance Counselors) are usually the ones who do it all — the overseeing and the tracking, the encouraging and motivating, the chauffeuring and the financing, and the stressing out over it, too.

I have a new e-book for families entering the high schooling years.

Buy the book

It’s short.

And sweet.

So short, you can read it over a cup of coffee, sitting in the car, or in the recliner all in one weekend.

So sweet, you’ll be patting yourself on the back and high-five-ing your friends over a chocolate croissant at how easy it all is — because I explain everything very simply.

The book is long enough to cover the 10 most-asked, most-feared, most-important things parents of high schoolers need to know.

But it’s written in plain language anyone can understand. And I don’t beat around the bush or pepper in a lot of unnecessary details.

What you see is exactly what you get: 10 steps.

You’ll learn the basics — like how to figure credits, how to calculate GPA, and what to write on a transcript.

I also address some of the larger high schooling concerns like how to plan a 4-year program, too.

It’s perfect for parents of middle schoolers thinking about high school, parents with students in 9th or 10th grade who are still in the planning stages, and parents of 11th and 12th graders who need to learn specific skills to create the documents and forms they need along the way.

I also included some forms you can photocopy and use right away to create a plan and a transcript, too.

Available for instant purchase/download

Click for pricing and purchasing information

Mar 27 2014

Correspondence schools PROs & CONs

In an earlier post (find it HERE), I displayed a list of some of the correspondence school programs available to homeschoolers. Though every school on the list was a little bit different, they all shared something in common — overall control of curriculum and graduation requirements.

Control is a characteristic of correspondence schooling. And while some families like that kind of oversight, others are not willing to give up the freedom to make high school choices on their own.

Let’s take a look at other characteristics of correspondence (virtual, by-mail, or online) schools. By the end of this post, the decision to enroll in a correspondence type program for high school may be become clearer.

PROs of correspondence schooling may include (not every school may offer everything on this list):

Pre-selection of courses, or the chance to select from a short list of high school options, helping to narrow down choices without becoming overwhelmed with a myriad of high school options all at once
A single curriculum, or the opportunity to select one of only several tracks (college prep or career, for instance) making choices easier, knowing students take only the specific courses needed to succeed
The expertise of teachers, counselors, school leaders, and others who specialize in the areas they teach and remain current as to legislation, requirements and research about high school
Accreditation, offering families the knowledge that the school has voluntarily opened themselves to scrutiny by applying for certification from an accrediting body, and is meeting requirements to remain accredited in the future
Academic advisement for students and their parents, making course selection easier, helping to match students with potential programs that meet their needs, and offering help throughout the program whenever it is needed
Record-keeping services, including transcript preparation, for families that prefer to avoid having to do this themselves
A diploma for students who successfully meet all requirements and complete the program

CONs of correspondence schooling (varies by school — check each individually) include:

Adherence to a core or a set of standards, even when homeschoolers may not fully support a set of state or national education standards
Cost of enrolling in the program, either monthly or annually, plus the cost of additional services, such as transcripts or graduation
The loss of control, as schools dictate requirements and are generally unable to bend if students request to do something a little bit differently
Lack of variety, as courses and curriculum are primarily dictated, and no flexibility is offered unless it is already built in
A restrictive schedule that may or may not match the lifestyle, learning style or individual needs of a student, and little flexibility when it comes to completing coursework and assignments on time
Little personal contact, if any is offered at all, stripping students of the chance to participate in activities with other students, or consult with professors if they so choose
A focus on completion instead of mastery, leaving students helpless when it comes to repeating missed work or lack the real understanding necessary to move on to the next course or topic
Dependence on books and/or online course material, with little opportunity to learn differently and from other sources
Forcing students to meet grade-level requirements, even when students may need to revisit an earlier grade or move ahead beyond material that comes easy to them
Risking the possibility of losing homeschool status when forgetting to select homeschool options (see below)

Keep in mind some schools may have other requirements and restrictions in addition to those listed here, such as medical forms, attendance requirements and so on. It is also worth noting that full-time enrollment in some of these programs could — either positively or negatively – affect a student’s chances of participating in local high school activities, participating in other enrollment-type programs, receiving scholarships, being accepted to colleges, and more.

In general, I tend to recommend selecting schools offering more choices and greater flexibility, rather than less. Though choices like these are best left to every individual family, do CONTACT me, if I can help make high school easier.

Finally, when looking into options like these, do pay attention to possible consequences — legally or otherwise – of enrolling in a full-time high school program. Some programs — though the work is completed at home – really end in the student enrolling in a public school instead (read THIS to learn more). And while this may not be a concern to some, most families prefer to maintain homeschool status, and are wary of giving this up to a public school instead.

SUBSCRIBE for more articles like this one. Check out THIS BOOK for more about homeschooling.

Other articles you can read right now:

Would virtual schooling work for your student?

Homeschooling the high school years

Thinking of putting your homeschooler in high school? Not so fast.

Please SHARE this with friends and groups:

Mar 24 2014

High School: Online & Correspondence Schools

There is no right or wrong way to go about homeschooling the high school years. Some families enjoy putting together their own curriculum using experiences and products from many different sources, and then tracking the grades and coursework on their own. Others prefer to outsource the high school years to a school or program specializing in this area, allowing the school to provide the grades, testing and transcripts for them.

If you fall into the latter category, read on.

I have compiled a list of some of the correspondence schools that offer a high school education for homeschoolers. The list is by no means comprehensive, but should give you an understanding of what is available as you begin your own search for the right high school program for your student. Note that inclusion here does not imply endorsement, however these schools were chosen to show the wide range of options available to parents searching for this kind of program.

Every link opens a new window:

American School

Global Village School

Calvert High School

University of Nebraska High School

Florida Online Virtual School

Penn Foster

Oak Meadow

Liberty University Online High School

Laurel Springs School

The Keystone School

Bridgeway Academy

Sycamore Academy

Mother of Divine Grace

Seton Catholic Home Study School

Lighthouse Christian Academy

Our Lady of Victory

Covenant Home Curriculum

Note that every school is different , thus significant research is recommended before making this very important decision. When in doubt, consult state homeschool laws and/or a trusted homeschool advisor before releasing personal student data and making any financial commitment.

Watch for an upcoming post about the pros and cons of using correspondence programs (edited: find it HERE). Subscribe to the blog if you’d like to get it delivered to your Inbox. Don’t forget to CONTACT me if I can help make high school easier.

To your success,

Similar posts you might like:

What do high schoolers need to learn?

Independent Homeschooling vs. Private Schools

Free curriculum for high school

Complete curriculum packages

Please SHARE this list with friends and homeschool groups. Sharing options below:

Jan 31 2014

{Day 31} Time Out For Moms And Dads

{For an overview of all 31 Days of Homeschooling click HERE.}

~ This is the final article in this series / check web site for more free courses and articles ~

Few parents are busier than homeschool parents. Between teaching and creating lesson plans, driving children to and from activities, creating schedules and keeping academic records, some days never seem to end. Couple this with a larger-than-average families and spending more time at home (i.e., more mess, more housework), and it’s easy to see why homeschool moms and dads get no time alone.

What’s not so easy, is for homeschool parents to carve out time for themselves. For many, this seems impossible. This is exactly the reason moms and dads need to make togetherness a priority. Without specific attention on the marriage during the homeschool years, partners may experience stress or indifference, and relationships strained.

Families differ, but some techniques seem to work well in many households. Using these tips as a guide, time for moms and dads can be woven into very busy days.

The process begins with the recognition that couples don’t need to leave the house to be alone. Getting away is better, but locking a door and sharing a scone and a latte constitutes a date in many households. Some parents even sit in a parked vehicle in the driveway for a few moments just to get away. These brief periods are refreshing while they last, until a longer opportunity comes along the next time.

A phone conversation is another way homeschool parents can reconnect. When getting together isn’t possible, sometimes a 15 minute telephone call during a lunch break or nap time, is. I don’t suggest using wireless devices while driving, but I have met several couples who hold scheduled conversations every evening while the husband is driving home from work. They explain this works because his duties as a dad begin the moment he walks through the door, so the phone call gives him time to spend with his wife before he gets there.

Getting out of the house can be possible, too. That is, as long as parents realize date nights don’t have to be at night, and they don’t have to be planned, either. Grabbing chunks of time whenever an opportunity presents itself is the key. If a trusted friend, relative, or neighbor offers to watch the children for an hour, parents should be willing to get up and go. Spontaneous dates are sometimes the most fun, and should never be turned down without a very important reason.

The 31 Days of Homeschooling is now available for download! CLICK HERE to find out how to purchase this program and receive hundreds of homeschool tips all in one place! Includes BONUS MATERIAL not found anywhere else.

Actual date nights begin to happen more easily as children get older. In larger families, an older sibling can supervise the younger children when mom and dad need to go out. Having grown up together, knowing all of the procedures and routines well, older siblings make the best sitters around.

If there are no siblings quite ready for child care, a babysitter can be found, with the understanding that older siblings are also permitted to help. Sometimes, parents reluctant to use sitters feel better when an older child is present, since their own values and directions will still be followed while they are away.

Finally, some couples take the whole family out on dates. Though it might seem counter-intuitive, dating with the children isn’t so far-fetched if it’s at the right place. Those with infants can easily dine with a sleeping baby in a sling or a car seat. Those with toddlers can choose a fast-food restaurant with a safe area for children to play alone. Families with older children may enjoy an arcade-style restaurant (think Chuck E. Cheese or Dave & Busters) where children receive wrist bands and cannot leave the premises without their parents. These solutions may be more expensive, but offer the chance for couples to talk and eat alone. Some moms and dads also hire a sitter to accompany them to these places, so they have nothing to do except pay the bill!

The perfect time to get out may never come — that is, until all of the children are grown. Homeschool parents need to get creative about finding blocks of time to spend together whenever they can. Whether a few minutes or an entire night off, this is so important to maintaining a solid relationship, not to mention handling the life they have created together — once they get home.

The homeschool years don’t last forever, and those years are too precious to be missed. However, time away from the children does not harm those years — it enhances them. Children feel most secure with happy, loving parents. Time out for moms and dads is the best way to guarantee this will always be the case.

CHECK WEB SITE FOR MORE FREE MATERIAL LIKE THIS!

CONTACT ME FOR QUESTIONS OR CONSULTATIONS

Further reading:

Everyone needs personal space

Homeschool burnout

On homeschool moms and letting go

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Jan 30 2014

{Day 30} Record Keeping To Be Proud Of

{For an overview of all 31 Days of Homeschooling click HERE.}

To advance to the next lesson, look for the “NEXT LESSON” link at the end of this article.

After several years of homeschooling, most families seem to settle into a favorite method of homeschool record-keeping. Some choose a very highly organized system, unable to operate any other way. Others are more relaxed about it, using something that might seem disorganized to everyone else, but works perfectly well for them.

There are valid reasons to keep accurate homeschool records. Some of the reasons include:

Satisfying legal requirements
Monitoring progress
Calculating grades
Creating a scrapbook or log of experiences
Helping to select materials & plan the next year

For families with high school students, the reasons for record-keeping are even more obvious. They include:

Making sure students have completed academic requirements
Creating high school transcripts
Supplying information to colleges and scholarship committees

Complete and accurate records makes performing these tasks a breeze — that is, compared to recreating four years of homeschooling from memory.

Homeschool records can take on many forms. Some families do little more than toss completed papers in a cardboard box or plastic bin. This isn’t ideal, but is better than having nothing at all. If papers are stored in date order, all the better. At the very least, the pile may be turned upside-down, creating a story of the entire homeschool year from beginning to end.

Some families go a step further and separate work by child, and by subject. Boxes and bins can be used for this, too, as well as straw baskets, plastic drawers, or anything else. These systems make it easy to store papers in order, plus additional dividers and tabs can be used to highlight important items, as well. This is an excellent way to get started — for those who may have never done this before.

Still a notch more organized is using individual file folders or 3-ring binders. This method may be slightly harder to set up, but is the easiest to follow once established. It allows parents to collect school work in certain sections, while also collecting grades, test scores, legal documents, or any other important items in a separate folder all their own. File and binder systems can be stored in boxes, baskets, filing cabinets, or just about anywhere, and can even look attractive using some of the decorative tips found on homeschool blogs, Instagram or Pinterest.

No matter what system is used, the goal of any record-keeping system is always the same — easy access and retrieval of information when it is needed. Since it takes longer to find things in a messy system than in an organized one, organized is usually the best way to go.

Easy access to information makes it possible to create great-looking portfolios, reading lists, student resumes, transcripts, and many of the other kinds of documents families need over the years. There is no time wasted when information is handy, so parents can spend more time creating professional-looking documents sure to grab anyone’s attention. {The transcripts I produce for the families I work with are highly praised by colleges and universities! Contact me if you need transcript help.}

You’ll find a variety of homeschool helps in the FREEBIE section, my e-books and this section of my web site. Browse these selections to find sample forms to download, photos of different organizational tools, and more advice on how to keep accurate, up-to-date homeschool records. For a comprehensive look at homeschool record-keeping, This book contains an entire chapter of record-keeping ideas and methods to suit every possible family, budget and style.

NEXT LESSON

Further reading:

Writing course descriptions for high school

Homeschool organization

Household Binder (plus free download)

Comprehensive high school record